Koronadal City—The Provincial Health Office of South Cotabato recorded a decreasing number of dengue cases compared to the same period in 2021, Dr. Rogelio Aturdido, Jr. reported.
“Despite the decreasing number, please always practice the 4S,” the provincial health officer said.
The 4S campaign stands for “Search and Destroy” mosquito breeding places, “Secure Self Protection” from mosquito bite, “Seek Early Consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and “Say Yes to Fogging” as a last resort when there is an impending outbreak.
Based on record, the Department of Health is preparing for the possible surge of dengue cases after the 2019 national epidemic.
In 2019, DOH requested the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chair Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana to declare a national dengue epidemic in the wake of the 146,062 cases recorded since January up to July 20, 2019 or 98% higher than the same period in 2018. There were 622 deaths.
The disease surveillance report showed that on that year Region VI (Western Visayas) had the most number of cases at 23,330, followed by Region IV-A (CALABARZON) with 16,515, Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) with 12,317, Region X (Northern Mindanao) with 11,455, and Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) with 11,083 cases.
“We are now experiencing rain every afternoon and it would lasts until July or August,” Aturdido said, encouraging the public to take five minutes of their morning routine and look for possible breeding places of mosquitoes around the house.
Aturdido said that the 5-minute habit includes draining, dumping, or filling breeding places. Dump water from buckets, flowerpot dishes, tarps, and wheelbarrows.
“If possible, turn over or cover them so they can’t catch more water. Check your plants everyday. Leaves are breeding place, too,” he added.
